10 best high-end luxury cars

• Source: Agencies
• [11:09 August 03 2010]
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3. Audi A8

The old A8 was not so good, but this new one is a real step up. 2011 Audi A8 4.2 Quattro is the fourth generation of Audi's premium sedan.

At 117.8 inches, the wheelbase has stretched 1.9 inches, overall length has increased 2.9 (to 202.2), width has expanded 2.1 (to 76.7), and the roofline sits at 57.5, a 0.6-inch increase. Audi's extensive use of aluminum helps keep weight somewhat in check despite the standard all-wheel-drive system.

And a slick new ZF eight-speed automatic transmission—plus the addition of 22 ponies to the 4.2-liter, direct-injection V-8—makes the A8 livelier than its curb weight suggests.